Students, staff member honored for “Crimes of the Heart”Four students and one staff member who contributed to the fall 2015 theatre production at Arkansas Tech University have been recognized by the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF). Actors Scarlett Fairclough of Danville, Skylar Wierman of England and Christina Williams of Cabot were nominated for the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship for KCACTF Region 6 in recognition of their performances in “Crimes of the Heart” by Beth Henl...

A holiday classicOver 90 local dancers from the local dance studios Dance Foundation, Just Dance, Jane Freeman’s Studio of Dance and dancers from within the community put on this year’s performance of The Nutcracker at The Center for the Arts in Russellville this past weekend.

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FOR THE COURIER / Steve NewbyThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

Artist of the monthThe River Valley Arts Center proudly announces its December artist Lodema Jensen. The reception will be from 1-3 p.m. on Sunday at the Arts Center, located at 1001 East B Street in Russellville. The community is invited to attend and the free event. Refreshments will be served. Lodema Jensen is a well-known artist, not only locally, but in many cities and states across the nation, where her work graces private collections and corporate offices...

Thanksgiving at St. John ElementarySt. John School students decorated and prepared for the Thanksgiving Lunch hosted by the school on Nov. 24. Students and their families were able to attend the lunch at the school and celebrate the holiday together. Fourth Grade students prepared and performed a Thanksgiving Readers’ Theater in their classroom at the school. Parents and grandparents were able to attend the Thanksgiving Lunch with children and grandchildren in the school cafete...

Bridge results (Dec. 6, 2015)Monday Duplicate Bridge met on Nov. 30, 2015. The first place North/South winners were Bill Barton and Gordon Thornsberry. The second place North/South winners were Lynn Hardin and Ferne Anderson. The first place East/West winners were Doug Lowrey and Peggy Griffin. The second place East/West winners were Carole Barton and Vernon Collins. The next game will be at 12:30 p.m. on Dec. 7, at the Russellville Senior Center. Anyone that needs a part...

Russellville Culture ClubThe Russellville Culture Club met at the home of Camille Talburt on Nov. 19, 2015. New member Sally Ramey, was welcomed by the 15 members present. After the business meeting, Camille turned over the program to Millie Chevaillier, who introduced Main Street Russellville executive director Betsy McGuire. McGuire opened with a quote from Eleanor Roosevelt, “Nothing happens but first a dream.” The focus for each member of Main Street Russellville ...

Jones was civil rights leader in ArkansasScipio Africanus Jones was a leader in the civil rights community in Arkansas in the late 1800s and early 1900s. His work as an attorney not only saved innocent men from being executed but won important legal gains for minorities in the state. Jones was born in Dallas County in the southern reaches of the state during the Civil War. However, his birth date is uncertain and generally believed by biographers to be either 1863 or 1864. His mother...

Club News: Economy Extension Homemaker's ClubEconomy Extension Homemaker’s Club The Economy Extension Homemaker’s Club met Thursday, Nov. 12, at the Hopewell Baptist Church Fellowship Hall with Ann Pew as hostess. President Ruth Teal called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Members present were Brunie Darter, Ruby Dumas, Lyn Grauman, Ann Pew, Diana Roberson, Ruth Teal, Nell Warren, Margaret Wright and Inez Young. Wright led the group in singing “Harvest Moon” and gav...

Simpson anniversaryArlene and David Simpson of Russellville will celebrate their 50 year wedding anniversary from 2-4 p.m. on Dec. 5, at First Assembly Fellowship Hall in Russellville. The couple was married on Dec. 10, 1965, in Dover. David, a Vietnam veteran, is retired from Firestone of Russellville after 36 years. Arlene is a seamstress, wife, mother and Mamaw to her Grands. Arlene and David have two children, David L. and Tracy Simpson of Russellville and A...

Williams anniversaryThe children and grandchildren of Aubry and Della Williams of Dover will celebrate their parents’ 50 year wedding anniversary from 2-4 p.m. on Dec. 5, at the Pleasant Grove Assembly of God Church. Friends and family are invited.

St. Johns’ College: The first college in ArkansasFor many years after statehood, Arkansas had few schools and no colleges. More settlers came to believe that developing institutions of learning was the way to promote the future strength and prosperity of the state. As such, civil leaders in the state’s Masonic lodges organized St. Johns’ College, the first college in Arkansas. In the 1840s, leaders of the Masonic orders in Arkansas began planning to build a college to make up for the state’s...

River Valley Rewind (Nov. 25, 2015)Outstanding athletes of Russellville High School talk of the future in the high school gymnasium after Bruce Webb (right), son of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Webb, was named to the school’s athletic Hall of Fame. With Webb, who also was named the outstanding defensive football player are Bob Halasek (left), designated the outstanding track athlete, and Stanley Cochran, who was named the outstanding offensive football player. Not shown is Ronald Smith,...